Feinstein Friday for EB and Bish, and of course, the topic of the day was Monumental’s planned move to Virginia – a move John doesn’t think is actually going to happen, because all of this is a Ted Leonsis ploy to get what he wants from DC.
“I don't know if outrage is the word; see, I don't think this is going to happen, ultimately. I think this is a Leonsis ploy to get the money out of the District,” Feinstein said. “They already caved to the point of offering $500 million when he's demanding $600 million. Let's find out if they end up giving him a billion to stay, because obviously they do not want to lose the teams.”
Leonsis asked for $600 million to refurbish Capital One Arena and the surroundings, and to Feinstein, that should be enough if that’s really what he wants.
“To me, the building is fine. It's not like it's not like the Cap Center where if you stood in certain places, water would drip on your head,” Feinstein said. “Leonsis is one of those guys who has always been about making a buck.”
The difference with all the backlash now, though, is that his best shield is gone.
“Ted had a great shield in this town in Dan Snyder; because people disliked him so much, Leonsis could do stuff and people sort of shook it off, ignored it, and didn't pay much attention to it,” Feinstein said. “He’s always been about making a buck, but you don't move teams from downtown Washington into some suburb in Virginia.”
And, to the point of many who say owners and teams building mini-cities on the outskirts for all their squads, Feinstein thinks the opposite.
“How did the move from DC to Prince George's County work out for the football team? Putting aside results on the field, it’s been a disaster,” Feinstein said. “The Pistons played for years way outside Detroit, and then they realized that was stupid and they moved back downtown. Cleveland Cavaliers same way, and I think most owners have found that the way to move is to get a downtown stadium. And, I think the football team's gonna end up playing back on the RFK site when all the dust clears.”
“I think the Mayor knows that if she loses the teams, regardless of how evil Ted may be, that it will hurt her politically,” Feinstein said. “In the end, just as owners want money, politicians want votes.”
Take a listen to John’s entire segment on this move, and a little about the NFL, above!
